Martin Wood
Features Writer
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480articles
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480Features
About Martin Wood
Having worked as a writer for over a decade, Martin Wood started his own academic gaming site before joining the GameRant team. His passion first started with Pokemon Silver and then exploded from there, becoming a huge driving force behind his aspirations in life. As an advocate for the critical academic study of gaming and backed by an MA in Literature and Culture with specialization in digital media from the University of Birmingham, he's hoping to take the field further and help inspire others to join the conversation. If he's not found at his desk trying to plumb his brain for interesting insights and stories about gaming, then he'll either be doing "research" on his latest favorite games or spending time with his two poodles, Bentley and Jensen.
Favorite Games
Despite its age and hit-and-miss legacy, the Jak & Daxter trilogy will always have a special place in my heart as one of my first childhood games alongside others like Pokemon and Ratchet & Clank.
But recent favorites have to include The Legend of Zelda Switch games and the Legendary Edition of Mass Effect, as I finally got to experience these beloved gaming classics for myself.
Favorite Console
Since Nintendo has proven itself to be the master of handheld consoles with the Switch, it is thanks to the likes of Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and its sequel Tears of the Kingdom which proved you don't need the highest hardware specs for a great gaming experience.
Industry Focus
With my academic background specialized in digital media, I'm driven to discover new insights and ideas about gaming at large. I want to understand what makes certain games tick, why they succeed or why they fail, how future games might evolve moving forward, and so much more.
Ultimately, through this passion, I hope to encourage others to see gaming as more than just entertainment, but as a fascinating field worth a deep dive into.
Latest
Minecraft's New Pig Varieties Should Be the Tip of the Iceberg
While Minecraft's latest introduction of new pig variants is a welcome addition, Mojang shouldn't stop there when it comes to refining classic mobs.
Two Iconic Minecraft Structures Could Combine to Add a Great New Landmark
As Mojang continues to refine Minecraft with focused content drops, it should consider hybridizing different structures to create an all-new feature.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard Missed A Trick With a Cut Dragon Age: Inquisition Idea
A cut concept from Dragon Age: Inquisition would have been perfect for Dragon Age: The Veilguard instead, but BioWare appears to have overlooked it.
What to Expect From Professor Layton and the New World of Steam in 2025
With an official release window set for later this year, fans should expect to see more about Professor Layton and the New World of Steam in 2025.
What to Expect From Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet in 2025
Following Naughty Dog's long-awaited reveal of its new sci-fi IP, players should expect to learn about Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet in 2025.
What to Expect From Split Fiction in 2025
With only a few short months between its announcement and launch, players should expect to hear more about Hazelight Studios' Split Fiction in 2025.
What to Expect From Haunted Chocolatier in 2025
While ConcernedApe continues to update Stardew Valley, there could still be news in 2025 about the developer's next planned game, Haunted Chocolatier.
What to Expect From Minecraft in 2025
With Mojang making major changes to its updates and new projects on the horizon, expectations could be high for the Minecraft franchise in 2025.
How Dragon Age: The Veilguard Utilizes 'Castling' in its Storytelling
Throughout Dragon Age: The Veilguard, recurring chess motifs may hint toward BioWare's use of castling within its narrative between Rook and Solas.
After Okami 2, Capcom Should Follow Through on Viewtiful Joe 3
With Hideki Kamiya returning to direct Okami 2 as Capcom revives old IPs, the two shouldn't waste the opportunity to finally deliver Viewtiful Joe 3.
How BioShock 4 Could Determine Whether a BioShock Remake is Needed
The hopes for a remake of the first BioShock will seemingly be determined by whether BioShock 4 will pick up where the trilogy left off or start over.
Overwatch 2 Should Takes Notes From Marvel Rivals' Jeff the Land Shark
With Overwatch 2's newest hero garnering mixed reactions, Blizzard should consider looking to Marvel Rivals' Jeff the Land Shark and his fans.
The Witcher 4 is Bound to Break a Huge In-Game Tradition
With The Witcher 4's reveal trailer and CD Projekt Red confirming Ciri as its protagonist, it seems the new game will break a major Witcher tradition.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet Strikes A Balance Between TLOU and Uncharted
Naughty Dog's newest IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, seems to have found its place between the studio's other series like Uncharted and TLOU.
What Mass Effect's Next Suicide Mission Could Learn From DA: The Veilguard
With BioWare focusing on its new Mass Effect game, the series' next Suicide Mission could learn a lesson from Dragon Age: The Veilguard's final act.
Thick as Thieves' Characters Sound A Lot Like Marvel Villains
The recent reveal trailer for Thick as Thieves has showcased three playable characters, all of whom appear to potentially reference Marvel villains.
FromSoftware is Doubling Down on Zelda Influences with Elden Ring Nightreign
Based on Elden Ring Nightreign's trailer, FromSoftware appears to be taking even more notes from Zelda's Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
The Legend of Zelda Leaving Echoes and Ultrahand Behind Would Be Sad, but No Surprise
As seen with past games and their unique features, the retirement of The Legend of Zelda's Ultrahand and Echoes is disappointing but inevitable.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Could Redeem One Annoying Mechanic With A New Approach
Rockstar Games could redeem one of its NPCs' more frustrating behaviors in Grand Theft Auto 6 by turning a potential bug into an intentional mechanic.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Has The Perfect Tie-In With One Evolution Line
Between its cyberspace trailer, its urban redevelopment story, and even its own name, Pokemon Legends: Z-A should include one particular Pokemon line.